The Chinese were the first Asian immigrants to enter the United States. From 1848-1849 300,000 Chinese people immigrated to the United States. Out of the 300,000 immigrants, men outnumbered women 20-1. Most ended up in California and other western states. The first Chinese immigrants weren't discriminated because they were wealthy and successful merchants. As population increased "Chinatowns" formed all over the country. The first one was in San Fransisco. After a much larger group of unskilled workers usually working for very little pay immigrated to the United States, American attitudes became negative and hostile. Most of the Chinese immigrants came over because of the Gold Rush. Despite the flood of Chinese immigrants during this time, their population began to fall drastically due to the Chinese Exclusion Act. Thousands of immigrants returned to China and population in the United States fell to the 62,000 people in 1920. Chinese now makes up thee largest Asian population in the United States. By the year 1851 there were 25,000 Chinese people working in California. The Chinese took on jobs such as cooks, Peddlers, and storekeepers.
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